REVIEW: ‘Proven Methods of the Carbine’ DVD

Although designed as a basic course, the drills and standards Bob uses are daunting, requiring precision shooting — the kind he’s mastered during two decades in Army Special Operations and numerous combat deployments — the kind he makes look easy.

He starts the DVD by explaining why he turned to teaching. He didn’t agree with what some firearm instructors were teaching.

“They were teaching the wrong stuff,” he says. “I want to get the real stuff out there.”

Bob is a legend in the Special Operations community. He’s been in more gunfights than he can count in dozens of countries. He’s currently a member of the Army’s most-elite Special Operations unit.

There’s no theory involved in any of my instruction,” he explains in the DVD. “I know what works. There’s no theory to me.”

Bob has recently launched Gamut Resolutions — a tactical training firm that teaches military, law enforcement and corporate clients, as well as members of the public.

Even the safety remarks he makes before launching into the instruction are driven by real-world experiences.

He challenges students to inquire at their home ranges about a med plan. “What are you going to do if someone gets shot?” he asks.

His advice on the proper shooting stance is almost casual.

“See which way works for you,” he said.

Gone is the dogmatic rigidity of other instructors who demand that students use their stance their way — good riddance. After all, Bob points out, when the gunfight starts, ones stance is likely to change.

And to be clear, that’s what he’s preparing students for — gunfighting.

“No situation is ever going to be the same,” he says. “Don’t get into the mindset that you have to be square to the target. Every situation is going to be different.”

For me, the best part of the DVD is Bob’s shooting drills. They’re incredible — real game-changers. They demand mastery of the fundamentals, focus and very precise shooting.

I’m not going to describe them here. They’re Bob’s proprietary intellectual property. If you want to learn how to shoot better using the actual drills Bob shoots when preparing to go to combat, buy the DVD. It will be the best $24.99 you’ve ever spent.

I’ve said before that you can’t learn much about tactical shooting from a DVD.

About Author

Lee Williams can’t remember a time in his life when he wasn’t shooting. Before becoming a journalist, Lee served in the Army and worked as a police officer. He’s earned more than a dozen journalism awards as a reporter, and three medals of valor as a cop. He is an NRA-certified law enforcement firearms instructor, an avid tactical shooter and a training junkie.
When he’s not busy as a senior investigative reporter, he is usually shooting his AKs, XDs and CZs.
If you don’t run into him at a local gun range, you can reach him at 941.284.8553, by email, or by regular mail to 1777 Main St., Sarasota, FL 34236. You can follow him on Twitter: @HT_GunWriter and on Facebook @The Gun Writer.